The World Health Organization (WHO) recently sounded the alarm regarding what it termed a global epidemic of loneliness. The opening statement of its June 2025 report stated, “The facts are undeniable: loneliness and social isolation are urgent public health challenges that demand immediate attention.” The WHO’s Commission on Social Connection was launched to confront this growing crisis, which affects 1 in 6 people worldwide and is associated with more than 870,000 deaths each year,according to their findings1. The report, “From Loneliness to Social Connection: Charting a Path to Healthier Societies,”seeks to raise awareness and offer solutions. At its core is the message that social well-being is just as vital as mental and physical health.
The U.S. Surgeon General recently said, “We are in the middle of a loneliness epidemic as one-in-two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness2.” The WHO defines loneliness as the emotional pain that arises when there is a gap between the relationships we long for and the ones we currently have3. While digital tools have made it easier than ever to stay in touch, many people still feel alone. Social media can feel more like anti-social media, offering constant updates but little real connection. This is especially true for young people. Up to 21 percent of those between the ages of 13 and 29 report feelings of loneliness. This age range includes many women of childbearing age, as well as youth in our communities, making it an issue that our faith spaces must take seriously.WHO’sreport also highlights that mothers and children from marginalized groups, including religious minorities such as Muslims, may face added barriers to building meaningful relationships. Discrimination, language challenges, relocation, or cultural differences all can make developing relationships more difficult.
For Muslim mothers, loneliness can show up in many forms. It may come from raising children far from extended family, being the only Muslim parent at school events, or, for converts, being the only Muslim in their family. Some mothers spend long days at home without adult interaction. Others live in areas with no strong Muslim community nearby. Many struggle to make time for friendship while balancing the demands of motherhood. In some cases, women may feel discouraged from participating in religious gatherings because of their gender or because they have young children. Single moms and mothers of children with disabilities often experience another layer of isolation that can feel overwhelming on its own.
Now that we understand loneliness is not just a passing inconvenience but a serious global threat, we can no longer afford to ignore its emotional, physical, spiritual, and social impact. As Muslims, we need to think collectively about how to build stronger support systems and nurture meaningful connections. At the same time, each of us can take small but significant steps in our personal lives to combat loneliness. For busy mothers and caregivers, tending to their emotional well-being can easily fall behind the needs of everyone else, but it should be a top priority.
Here are a few ideas to consider on an individual level:
- Transform loneliness into self-care
Do not let loneliness become a weapon against you. Instead, use it as a tool for spiritual, mental, and physical growth. Self-care often begins with solitude. Take advantage of quiet moments to exercise, pray, reflect, read, or write. All of these can be acts of worship and self-nurturing that strengthen your faith and well-being.
- Engage your mind and heart
Pursuing a hobby, enrolling in a class, volunteering, or working outside the home all are possible options. These activities help you connect with others around shared interests and offer a sense of purpose and accomplishment outside of the house.Remember Allah (SWT) constantly while engaging in these activities, whether through inner reflection or utterings of dhikr. “Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.” (Quran13:28)
- Find companionship in the creation
Sometimes, companionship comes in unexpected yet comforting forms. If possible, consider adopting a pet. Animals offer emotional support, a sense of routine, and unconditional affection. Think about Abu Huraira, the beloved companion of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who was known as the “Father of the Kitten” because of his love for cats. His compassion for animals became part of his identity. Caring for a pet can even be a source of reward and mercy in Islam.
If animals are not your preference, consider caring for plants. Tending to a garden or even a few houseplants can bring peace, purpose, and a connection to the natural world, as well as some great health benefits.
- Actively build community
Do not wait for a connection to find you; create it! Reach out to family members, introduce yourself to someone new at the mosque, invite a neighbor for tea, or simply greet someone on your daily walk. These small acts plant seeds of community. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), warned against isolation, saying, “If three people in a town or in the desert do not establish prayer among them, then Satan has overcome them. You must establish the congregation, for the wolf eats the isolated sheep.”(Sunan Abi Dawud, 547)
- Embrace solitude
It may seem counterintuitive, but one of the most powerful ways to overcome loneliness is to get comfortable with being alone. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), said, “Islam began as something strange, and it will return to being strange, so glad tidings to the strangers.”(Sahih Muslim 145)
Being a practicing Muslim in modern times can feel isolating. You may be the only woman in your family wearing hijab, the only Muslim in your neighborhood, or the only youth choosing to study Islam over more popular career paths. Choosing faith over conformity is courageous, but it can be a lonely endeavor.Know and teach your children that it is okay to be set apart while searching for your tribe. Find strength in stillness and purpose in solitude. Remind yourself thatyou are never truly alone because you always have Allah (SWT). Even in moments when there is no human companionship, we can turn to Him in prayer.
Sometimes solitude is safer and more beneficial than surrounding ourselves with harmful influences.Take time to praise Allah for solitude because not every crowd brings benefit, and not every companion has your best interest at heart. In Spanish, we say, “Es mejor estar solo que mal acompañado” or “It is better to be alone than in bad company.”The Islamic tradition echoes this wisdom.
Abu Darda, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “A righteous companion is better than loneliness, and loneliness is better than an evil companion…”(Rawdat al-‘Uqala, 56)
To the mothers feeling isolated, know that your child, while not the adult conversation you may be craving, is a soul entrusted to you by Allah (SWT). Find comfort in this seed you are nurturing into a tree of hope. Your quiet sacrifices are not unnoticed by the One who sees all. In moments of solitude, may you find clarity and discover strength.
- https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/978240112360/
- https://www.crisistextline.org/topics/loneliness/
- https://www.who.int/news/item/30-06-2025-social-connection-linked-to-improved-heath-and-reduced-risk-of-early-death
